UNITED NATIONS, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 31st Jul, 2026) United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres Friday hailed an agreement for Hamas to relinquish its weapons and for Israeli forces to withdraw from Gaza as “the only good news in recent days” amid raging regional conflicts.
Addressing reporters at UN Headquarters, the UN chief described the deal as a “desperately needed breakthrough” and urged all parties to ensure its full implementation.
Guterres welcomed the U.S.-brokered deal, which outlines a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces and mandates that Hamas relinquish its weapons and transition governance of Gaza to an independent Palestinian body.
Calling the agreement a momentous opportunity to end the devastation, he reiterated his demand that all remaining hostages be released unconditionally in a dignified manner and that a permanent ceasefire be secured.
Guterres used the press briefing to warn against the escalating conflict in the wider region (such as the military escalation in the Gulf), stating, “Let me be clear: the fighting must stop on all fronts in the region”.
He pledged that the UN and its humanitarian partners are fully prepared to scale up life-saving aid, recovery, and reconstruction efforts in Gaza as soon as conditions permit.
APP/ift
